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Economic Development Advisory Board
Minutes
January 11, 2007
The Economic Development Advisory Board met on January, 11 2007. The meeting was
called to order by the Chairperson, Kenneth Kahn, at 8:35 a.m. in the Council Chambers of
the Municipal Complex, located at 10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida,
and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. Roll Call
Members Presot
Kenneth Kahn Chair
Lou Gaeta Vice Chair
Elaine Beers
Casey Steinbacher
James Kissel
Mark Murnan
Sandra Foland
Steve Cohen 1 st Alternate
Members Absent:
Also Present:
Joseph Russo, Mayor and Council Liaison (arrived at 8:38 a.m.)
Dolores Key, Economic Development Director and Staff Liaison
Kelly Smallridge, President of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County
I. Election of Officers The current Chair, Kenneth Kahn, and Vice Chair, Lou Gaeta, will
remain by a unanimous vote of 7 -0.
11. Approval of Minutes
The Board approved the minutes from the November 9, 2006, meeting.
III. Staff Report
Mayor Russo stated that the City Manager has targeted March 2007 for the joint meeting
between the EDAB and the City Council. Catalfumo has filed for a Comp Plan Amendment
for parcel 5 -A. This is being worked through and the Mayor stressed that 5 -A is crucial to
economic development. In speaking with state legislators the news was grim as far as the
state's willingness to replenish funds for financial incentives. There needs to be a
commitment from the City of Palm Beach Gardens for the biotech industry sector. There is
discussion of maybe having a fund available and ready. Mayor Russo stated that we could
help repay this fund in order to help bring companies to the City but we need to know where
everyone stands on this. Prospects are still being worked through and we are trying to bring
business to North County.
Lou Gaeta asked the Mayor about the specifics of what we are going to do locally as far as
incentives for small companies. The Mayor responded that we would welcome small
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companies and would do all we could to bring them to the City. This is going to be discussed
further in the upcoming meeting. We are looking for incentives from Mr. Catalfumo as well.
Therefore, we could let a developer add additional densities to enhance the City's
participation in a particular project. The City Manger prepared a memo on what the City
should be doing. Kenneth Kahn commented that the sooner this meeting takes place the
better in order to get the City where it needed to be. He feels that we need to get information
out to the business community as soon as possible so that we have their support. Casey
Steinbacher asked the Mayor if at the next Economic Development Advisory Board meeting
in February, the Board could revisit the proposal as to be in a better position for the March
workshop. Kenneth Kahn felt that it would help to have an idea from Kelly Smallridge about
the Life Science Plan and a perspective from the recruiting aspect. Kelly responded that this
could be prepared. Kelly went on to say that the Fife Science Strategic Committee will be
meeting next Friday. They will be putting together information on the Life Science
Recruitment Plan done in September 2006 that was presented to the County Commission.
Kelly agreed with the Mayor's statements regarding the State Innovation Fund. She said that
this is the target of the committee. The $2,000,000.00 Innovation Fund formed by Governor
Bush, which was distributed to the three companies, was exhausted. The BCC let the
Business Development Board know if the funds are not replenished it will be very hard to get
this done at the County level in order to recruit larger companies. This issue will not be going
into Special Session. It will be only looked at in the regular session. The legislature's main
concerns at this time are taxes and insurance. Kelly stated that she has reached out to all of
her counterparts, statewide, whom she felt could help lobby to get this fund replenished. She
went on to say that during the next several weeks it is crucial that a hard campaign get
underway with letter writing and phone calls, etc. in order to try to get the funds replenished.
Kelly said that Enterprise Florida has prepared a position paper for Governor Crist. She has
asked for a copy of this to present to businesses so everyone is asking for the same thing.
Mayor Russo stated that when he goes to Tallahassee this year he plans to show that the
City is committed and that funds that are committed will be utilized the correct way. He is
also planning to set up a meeting with the Governor to get him behind this. Kenneth Kahn
asked about the Parcel 5 -A Grown Incentive Fund and if these finds were still available. Kelly
stated that this is a $50000.00 fund which is a 12- year4d model. This is currently under
review. It has a minimum requirement of 50 jobs and most companies coming to Palm Beach
County do not meet the criteria. Kenneth said he did not feel all the emphasis should be
placed on Bioscience jobs and that other high - paying jobs were just as important.
Kelly stated that the BDB does all it can to protect the County. They make sure that
companies that come produce results with a high commercialization rate. The Mayor said
that Kelly is the go -to person for a new company that comes to us. Kelly said that the BDB
has a very strong relationship with the Mayor and she has full confidence in that. The
problem again is the funding.
IV. Land Development Petitions
None.
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il
V. New Business
a. SWOT Analysis from 2003: Dolores Key, Staff Liaison, asked all members of the Board,
old and new, to review page 3 of the package which was distributed. This is essentially a
recap of what the Economic Development Advisory Board has accomplished since its
formation. She stated that the final charts on taxable values of property in Palm Beach
Gardens and future land use demonstrates the progress on part of the Economic
Development Advisory Board. Dolores highlighted the fact that due to the efforts of the City
Council, 34.02% of land remains in space conservation. This was done while achieving all of
its objectives.
b. Data and analysis update induced in Economic Development Element of the City's
comprehensive plan (what have we achieved ?): Casey Steinbacher posed that at the next
meeting the Board meet with businesses to discuss possible missed growth opportunities
that the City could be missing out upon. She said that she was aware of manufacturing
growth opportunities that the City was missing out on due to factors such as housing, work
force, etc. Mayor Russo agreed with this stating that many Council members do not feel
affordable housing is a pressing issue at this time. Lou Gaeta disagreed with this. His
feelings were growth opportunities are being lost due to unavailable industrial land. He stated
that the biggest problem with growth is the lack of available industrial land needed to place
companies. He went on to say there is just no land available. Sandra Foland disagreed,
stating that when she tried to expand her own business, she could not due to the fact that the
county was keeping the land she was interested in for expansion. Kelly agreed with Lou
Gaeta stating that land was needed for companies looking to come here. She stated that
IPARC (Interlocal Plan Amendment Review Committee) is meeting today with the intent of
studying all vacant parcels in Palm Beach County to be sure there is a healthy mix of land
available. They are making sure that there is a large amount available for industrial use. The
Economic Development Advisory Board should receive a copy of this report when done.
Kenneth Kahn agreed with Mayor Russo that surrounding communities need to participate.
Companies should be able to look at land in other communities. Casey Steinbacher stated
that we need to come to a decision regarding letting wealthy residential communities
continue to develop. Mayor Russo said that overall we always need to be aware of
redevelopment issues and what is happening with the landowners. Kenneth Kahn said that
this discussion should continue at the next meeting.
VI. Next Meeting
Next meeting date will be February 8, 2007.
There were no comments from the public.
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f_.
VII. Adioumment
With no further business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 9:29 a.m.
Approval:
Kenneth Kahn, Chairperson
(f Lou Gaeta, Vice Chairperson
Elaine Beers, Board Member
Mark Murnan, Board Member
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Casey Stembacher, hoard Member
Sandra Foland, Board Member
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Steve Cohen, 15` Alternate Boars Member
Attest:
Ray Ellis, Deputy City Clerk
Note: These summary minutes are prepared in compliance with 286.011 P.S. and are not verbatim transcripts of
the meeting. A verbatim audio record is available from the Office of the City Clerk
All referenced attachments are on file in the City Clerk's office.
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